A dental emergency can happen when you least expect it. In these moments, our team at Children’s Dentistry of the Palm Beaches is here for you. Whether your child has lost a tooth, injured a tooth, or is experiencing another dental emergency in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, contact our office as soon as possible to get your child the help that they need. The following tips can provide some helpful ways to handle common dental emergencies prior to your dental visit.
What Should I Do If My Child Falls & Knocks Out A Permanent Tooth?
Once you find the tooth, only handle it by the surface, never the root. If the tooth is still clean, do your best to place it back into the empty socket. To keep the tooth secure, have your child bite down on a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth is dirty or can’t be placed back in the socket, you can preserve the tooth in a glass of milk until your dental visit. It’s important to be seen as soon as possible when a permanent tooth has fallen out in order to have the best chance at saving the tooth.
How Should I Handle A Chipped Or Broken Tooth?
A chipped or broken tooth, whether it’s an adult or baby tooth, needs immediate attention from your dentist. This is because the tooth’s pulp or nerve may become exposed, putting it in danger of bacteria. Once bacteria enters the tooth, it can cause an infection. It’s important to seal the enamel as soon as possible and examine the tooth to see the extent of the damage. You can preserve the broken piece of the tooth in a glass of milk. Bring this with you to the dental office in case we can reattach it during your visit. To stop bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. Swelling can be treated with a cold compress.
How To Treat A Cut/Bitten Tongue, Lip, Or Cheek
If your child has cut or bitten their tongue, lip, or cheek, this can be very painful. Injuries like this can cause much bleeding and swelling. Applying a cold compress can help reduce swelling and placing direct pressure on the area can help stop the bleeding. If you aren’t able to get the bleeding to stop or if the injury is very serious, we recommend being evaluated right away.
When Should I Schedule A Visit For A Toothache?
Toothaches can range from mild to severe. To address a toothache, you can first have your child use a warm salt water rinse in their mouth to help kill bacteria and relieve the toothache. Swelling can be treated with a cold compress. If the toothache is serious, it’s important to be seen as soon as possible. If your child’s toothache goes away, we still recommend scheduling a visit soon to examine their smile and make sure there aren’t any dental concerns that need to be addressed.
We’re Here For You
If you find your child in a dental emergency, our team is ready to help. We will go out of our way to help relieve your child’s pain and recommend the best way to address their dental concern. Call 561-944-9030 today to get the help that you need!
